I've been using QRReader and RedLaser, and they work fine. For bar codes, I've been using Amazon's PriceCheck and have started using Flow a bit. Haven't encountered any problems, and I just stumbled upon the apps or read about them. I wonder whether your being in the UK is the problem? Seems like it shouldn't be, but who knows.

I've used several and most are a pain to try and hold still while you snap the picture and then blur it as you push the button.

Try this popular app: "Shop Savvy" free in the app store for iphone and I also have it on my Droid.
This one has a red line that you line up and when it comes into focus it automatically snaps the pic.
It also does QR codes (those square little matrix maps) I just used it during lunch as I snapped one in the USA Today and it pulled up all there articles in that days paper . . . cool! Oh ya, as another poster has said, snap the pic in good light.

I've used several and most are a pain to try and hold still while you snap the picture and then blur it as you push the button.

Try this popular app: "Shop Savvy" free in the app store for iphone and I also have it on my Droid.
This one has a red line that you line up and when it comes into focus it automatically snaps the pic.
It also does QR codes (those square little matrix maps) I just used it during lunch as I snapped one in the USA Today and it pulled up all there articles in that days paper . . . cool! Oh ya, as another poster has said, snap the pic in good light.

Click to expand...

Which are you using that require a photo? I haven't used mine in a while, but all they require the user to do is hold product and phone steady and they auto-capture once lined up. I usually just lean a product on a shelf or counter and line up my phone. Works fine. No button-pushing required.

Google Goggles (part of the Google Search app) snaps a picture. If you wait for it to focus, it does it on it's own. Or you can force it by tapping the camera icon. That's the only app that I know of that takes a picture then scans. Of course it does far more than just bar codes. It will also try to match with online images, with varying degrees of success.

I'm not fond of it's product lookup results. They are just the usual Google choices, but if you like Google Shopper you can narrow down to those results:

However the Google Shopper app will get you there faster. It doesn't take stills, but seems to scan faster than Goggles, at least in my experience. And the UI is pretty nice.

I also have ShopSavvy. It doesn't take stills either. I do like the interface, and usually the results. They are getting a bit pushy about getting an account, but it's ignorable if you don't' want the extra list tracking features.

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